Michael Best & Friedrich LLP (commonly, referred to as "Michael Best") is a U.S. national law firm with more than 400 legal professionals, including more than 300 attorneys in 19 domestic offices. Michael Best's primary practice areas include corporate, government relations, public policy, political law, intellectual property, labor and employment, litigation, privacy & cybersecurity, real estate, regulatory, tax, and estate planning.

History

Michael Best was founded in 1848 by

Edward George Ryan Edward George Ryan (November 13, 1810October 19, 1880) was an Irish American immigrant, lawyer, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the 5th chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court; he was initially appointed by Democratic governor William Robert ...

, a Wisconsin trial attorney who later served as Chief Justice of the

Wisconsin Supreme Court The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the Supreme court, highest and final court of appeals in the state judicial system of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. In addition to hearing appeals of lower Wisconsin court decisions, the Wisconsin Supreme Court also ...

. Over the course of more than a hundred and seventy years, the firm expanded throughout Wisconsin and across the country through a series of expansions and mergers, eventually growing from a small legal practice to a full-service business law firm that serves clients in the United States and across the globe. Michael Best is affiliated with various global law organizations, including

Lex Mundi Lex Mundi is a professional services network. It is the oldest and largest law firm network. The network was established in 1989, incorporating in Delaware. The association was founded by Stephen McGarry of Minneapolis to help individuals and b ...

, a network of 160 law firms with over 21,000 attorneys in more than 100 countries; the Employment Law Alliance (ELA), a global network of employment and labor law firms; and the American Property Tax Counsel (APTC), a national affiliation of property tax law firms that provides major portfolio owners with a single source of tax advice.

Attorney compensation

Unlike most U.S. national law firms, Michael Best does not generally disclose compensation offered to Associates. However, as mandated by the Colorado Equal Pay Act, the lateral attorney job openings posted on the firm's website indicate that, " r Colorado applicants only," the starting associate salary is $150,000 per year. Numerous sources further report that base salary of Michael Best Associates based in other major markets (''i.e.'', Austin, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., where Associate salaries typically start at $205,000 for new law school graduates), also start at $150,000.

Notable alumni

William A. Bablitch William Albert Bablitch (March 1, 1941February 16, 2011) was an American lawyer, politician, and jurist from Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He served as a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court for 20 years, from 1983 to 2003. Earlier, he served nin ...

, Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court (1983-2003) * Steven M. Biskupic, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin *

David J. Cannon David J. Cannon (August 6, 1933 – July 26, 2011) was an American attorney who served as Milwaukee County District Attorney from 1968 to 1969 and as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin from 1969 to 1973. Cannon was the ...

, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin *

Reince Priebus Reinhold Richard "Reince" Priebus ( ; born March 18, 1972) is an American politician, attorney, and naval officer who served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2011 to 2017 and as White House chief of staff during the first s ...

, Chairman of the

Republican National Committee The Republican National Committee (RNC) is the primary committee of the Republican Party of the United States. Its members are chosen by the state delegations at the national convention every four years. It is responsible for developing and pr ...

(2011–2017) and

White House Chief of Staff The White House chief of staff is the head of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, a position in the federal government of the United States. The chief of staff is a Political appointments in the United States, politi ...

(2017) *

, Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court (1874-1880)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Michael Best and Friedrich LLP Law firms established in 1848 Law firms based in Milwaukee Law firms based in Wisconsin 1848 establishments in Wisconsin